Friday, March 20, 2015

Matthew 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Luke 5:20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

Acts 15:
[7] And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.[8] And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;[9] And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Romans 3:20 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Romans 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

Romans 4:
[11] And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:[12] And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.[13] For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.[14] For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:[15] Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.[16] Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

Galatians 2:
[16] Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.[17] But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.[18] For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.[19] For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.[20] I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.[21] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Galatians 3:
[1] O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?[2] This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?[3] Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 3:

[14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:[15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.[18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

John 7:38-39 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

John 11:25-26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

John 12:35-36 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

John 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

John 17:20-21 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 13:38-39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

Acts 16:30-31 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Romans 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Romans 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Matthew 24:[29] Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:[30] And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.[31] And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

I recently read an article written by Pastor Steven Anderson on "Who are the "elect" in Matthew 24?"

Anderson's conclusion was that Matthew 24:31 "cannot be
referring the Jewish people or the nation of Israel".

That is an interesting interpretation, especially considering these facts:

1.) The gospel in Matthew 24 is "the gospel of the kingdom" (Matt. 24:14) and not the "gospel of the grace of God" revealed to Paul for Gentiles (Gal. 1:11-12, Acts 20:24, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Rom. 16:25). The gospel of the kingdom given to the 12 apostles was called "the gospel of the CIRCUMCISION" while Paul's gospel was the "gospel of the UNCIRCUMCISION" that he had to communicate to the 12 apostles (Gal 1:11-12, 2:1-8).

2.) Matthew 24 is written to those under the sabbath keeping laws (vs 20). These people to whom Christ was speaking would not even be allowed to run for their lives if the antichrists came to kill them. Why would Gentiles be keeping the sabbath? Gentiles in the "dispensation of grace" are not under the sabbath ordinance of the Law of Moses (Col. 2:8-23, Rom. 6:14, Eph. 3:1-9).

3.) Matthew 24 is about Jewish prophecy from Daniel. But we live in the MYSTERY dispensation of grace in which God is making known the fellowship of the mystery--the Jew/Gentile Body of Christ (Eph. 3:1-9, 5:32). The prophecies concerning Israel ceased, we are living in a time waiting for the "fulness of the Gentiles" and THEN God will resume dealing with Israel (Rom. 11:25-27).

4.) Matthew 24 is said to be the "SIGNS" of the 2nd coming of Christ to the earth and end of the world (vs 1-7). The SIGNS are for the Jews, not the Gentiles (1 Cor. 1:22, John 4:48).

5.) The audience in Matthew 24 does not have eternal security. If they do not look for the Lord's coming and are not faithful, they will be taken away in judgment (like in the days of Noah) to hell and "there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 24:37-51, 25:1-30). Christ cannot be referring to the church which is His Body, because He has given them eternal security as members of His Body whether we are profitable servants or not (2 Tim. 2:11-13, Rom. 8:29-29, Eph. 1:12-14, Eph. 3:30, 1 Cor. 3:15).

6.) Why would Matthew 24 be about the Gentiles in the dispensation of grace? Christ's earthly ministry was to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, He came to the Jews, He came unto His own, He was a minister of the circumcision confirming the OT prophecy, and He considered the Gentiles to be "DOGS" (John 1:11, Rom. 9:5, Rom. 15:8, Matt. 15:22-26, Mark 7:26-28). What did Christ tell the 12 apostles? "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matt. 10:5-6) Why would Matthew 24 be about the GENTILES? Matthew 24 is written to those who require a sign (Jews), those under the Law (Jews), and His audience and teaching during His earthly ministry was for the JEWS. If you want to know what Christ has to say to the Gentiles in the dispensation of grace directly, you need to read Paul's epistles. Paul was the pattern for them that would believe His gospel after him (1 Tim. 1:15-16), he was the minister of Christ for the Gentiles (Rom. 15:16), he was the apostles of the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13), and he was revealed the mystery of the the Jew/Gentile Body of Christ.

7.) The rapture of the Body of Christ is to HEAVEN (Phil. 3:20-21), but the rapture of the Jews in Matthew 24 is to Israel to live in the kingdom. The rapture of the Body of Christ was a "mystery" given to Paul "by the word of the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:51, 1 Thes. 4:15). But the rapture of the believing Jews is found all through the Prophets (Ps. 17:15, Ezek. 36:24-35, 37:1-14, 37:21-28, Job 19:25-27, Isa. 26:19, Jer. 30:10-11, 31:10-11, 32:37-42, 33:1-18, etc.).

8.) The great tribulation is God's "wrath" on Israel (Isa. 54:8, 57:17, 60:10, Jer. 32:37), but the Body of Christ is not appointed unto God's wrath (Rom. 5:9, 1 Thes. 1:10, 5:9).

9.) During the tribulation God opens a seal that allows the antichrist to go out deceiving people so that they will believe a lie and be damned (2 Thes. 2:8-12, Rev. 6). But we live in the dispensation of grace and the "day of salvation" where God would have all men to be saved (2 Cor. 5:14-6:2, Eph. 3:1-9, 1 Tim. 2:4).

10.) The Tribulation is the result of God's wrath on Israel for their sins (Jer. 30-33, Ezek. 36, etc.).....it is not about the church which is His body because God is not imputing our trespasses unto us (Rom. 4:6-8). God will not bring His "anger", "wrath", and "great fury" (Jer. 32:37) upon us because we have PEACE with Him (Rom. 5:1).

So now who do you think is the "elect" in Matthew 24? Believing Jews in the Tribulation or those in the Body of Christ in the dispensation of grace?

There are many more points on why the Body of Christ will not go through the Tribulation. Most of them have to do with the doctrinal contradictions between what the Bible says about the Body of Christ such as (salvation without works and eternal security) as compared to what it says about the believers in the tribulation period.

Here are a few more reasons taken from my post on Revelation...

A.) In the first three chapters of Revelation (Tribulation--Lord's day) we see angels associated with the churches (Rev. 1:20) but there are no angels associated with churches in this age (Col. 2:18).

B.) In the first chapters of Revelation you have to overcome to not be hurt of the second death (which is the lake of fire--Rev. 21:18). But that is not true in this age, we have eternal security and will be saved even if we do not overcome (1 Cor. 3:15, 2 Tim. 2:11-13).

C.) Satan's seat is on earth in the early chapters of Revelation (1:9-10, 1:13). But in this present age of grace Satan is not sitting on earth (Eph. 2:2, 6:11-12).

D.) In the early chapters of Revelation you must overcome in order to not have your name blotted out of the book of life (3:5). But in this age you do not have to overcome, you have eternal security despite your service and faithfulness (1 Cor. 3:15, 2 Tim. 2:11-13, Rom. 8:31-39).

E.) In the early chapters of Revelation you have to overcome to be able to sit with Christ in His throne (3:21). But in this age you are already seated with Him (Eph. 2:6), you are just waiting on the rapture of your physical body (Rom. 8:23-24, Phil. 3:20-21, Eph. 1:13-14, Eph. 4:30).

F.) In the early chapters of Revelation Christ "cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him". But in this age Christ comes secretly in a moment in the twinkling of an eye and it is to the air/heaven, the kindreds of the earth won't know about it (Phil. 3:20-21, 1 Cor. 15:51-58, 1 Thes. 4:13-18, Col. 3:1-4).

G.) In the Tribulation it will matter if you are a Jew or not (Rev. 2:9, 3:9) but it does not matter in the dispensation of grace (Eph. 2-3, Col. 3:11, 1 Cor. 12:12-13, Gal. 3:26-28). Nothing that God is doing today has anything to do with the Jews specifically (Rom. 11:25).

See below verses.....

Revelation 2:[7] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.[8] And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;[9] I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.[10] Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.[11] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.[12] And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;[13] I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.[14] But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.[15] So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.[16] Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.[17] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Revelation 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Definitions
of “interpretation” according to Webster's 1828 dictionary:

“1.
The act of interpreting; explanation of unintelligible words in
language that is intelligible. interpretation
is the design of translation.

2. The act
of expounding or unfolding what is not understood or not obvious; as
the interpretation of dreams and prophecy.

3. The
sense given by an interpreter; exposition. We sometimes find various
interpretations of the same passage of Scripture and other ancient
writings.

4. The
power of explaining.”

That gives us a pretty good idea of
what the word “interpretation” means. I believe definition 1 and
2 best fit the Biblical sense of the word.

Definition number 4 is good, “the
power of explaining”. Who has the power of explaining the Bible?
The very first book (Genesis) tells us...

Genesis
40:8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no
interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations
belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.

Interpretations
belong to God, not man. Man has no business interpreting scripture.
God gives the interpretation, He is the one that explains His own
words. For example, the Holy Spirit use to give people the gift of
tongues in order to get His word to those who spoke other languages
(this was done until the completion of the Bible—1 Corinthians
13:8-12).

1
Corinthians 12:

[8]
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the
word of knowledge by the same Spirit;[9] To another faith by the
same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;[10]
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another
discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to
another the interpretation of tongues:[11]
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to
every man severally as he will.

1
Corinthians 14:

[26]
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, everyone of you hath
a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an
interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.[27]
If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the
most by three, and that by course; and
let one interpret.[28]
But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church;
and let him speak to himself, and to God.[29]
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.[30]
If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first
hold his peace.[31]
For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may
be comforted.[32]
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.[33]
For God
is not the author of confusion,
but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

1
Corinthians 14:40 Let
all things be done decently and in order.

Notice
that the Spirit gave a man the gift of tongues and another the gift
of interpretation. God gave the message and the interpretation. The
tongues did not come from man, they came from God. Likewise the
interpretation of those tongues did not come from man, they came from
God. God does not put out words and expect man to guess what those
words mean, He interprets them Himself. The interpretation belongs to
Him.

The
Bible is a literal book, not figurative. This does not mean that the
Bible does not use metaphors and figurative language when describing
literal events and prophecies. God expects us to take His word
literally and not figuratively. The Bible is to be taken “as it is
written”, a phrase used 45 times in the Bible. When Christ and the
apostles taught the Bible they taught it “as it is written”. They
did not give a “private interpretation” of it.

Paul
talked a lot about “what saith the scriptures?” (Rom. 4:3, 9:17,
10:11, 11:2, Gal. 4:30, etc.) The scriptures are not “open to
interpretation”, they “SAITH” what they mean “AS IT IS
WRITTEN”. James said that the scriptures do not say things in vain
(James 4:5). Peter believed that what is “contained in the
scriptures” mattered (1 Pet. 2:6). Paul REASONED with people out of
the scriptures (Acts 17:2). Therefore the scriptures themselves have
to be REASONABLE and not figurative, open-interpretation, type
fables.

Some
people believe that the words of scripture are not written literally
and that they are only meant to convey God's thoughts. They believe
that we cannot take something “as it is written” but that we can
only take the general thought or idea of the scriptures. That is
untrue. God's WORDS are how He conveys His thoughts. His words are
His thoughts and ideas.

Isaiah
55:

[8]
For my
thoughts
are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the
LORD.[9]
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher
than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.[10]
For
as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not
thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud,
that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:[11]
So shall
my word be
that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in
the thing whereto I sent it.

Look
at what Peter said in 2 Peter 1:16-2:3

“For
we
have not followed cunningly devised fables,
when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from
God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him
from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were
with him in the holy mount. We have also a
more sure word of prophecy;
whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth
in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your
hearts: Knowing this first, that
no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy
men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

But
there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall
be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable
heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon
themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious
ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And
through covetousness shall they with feigned
words
make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth
not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

Peter
wrote that the scriptures are “sure”, they are not “cunnigly
devised fables”, and they are not open to “private
interpretation”. Peter contrasts the SURE WORD as being the
opposite of “cunnigly devised fables” and “feigned words”.

What
are fables? Webster's 1828 Dictionary says that a fable is “a
feigned story or tale, intended to instruct”
and “a fictitious narration intended to
enforce some useful truth or precept”.
The scriptures are NOT fables. They are SURE WORDS. They are “truth”
(John 17:17) and they do not speak in vain (James 4:5).

What
are feigned words? Webster's 1828 Dictionary says that feign means
“to invent or imagine”,
“to pretend; to assume a false appearance”,
and “to form and relate a fictitious tale”.
Therefore the scriptures are not “feigned words”. We cannot
interpret them by assuming
a false appearance.
The Bible says what it means and means what it says. To approach the
Bible assuming that it is full of figurative things that really have
a different meaning than what they say is a “private
interpretation”.

For
example...To approach the book of Revelation under the assumption
that it does not say exactly what it means, that it was written as a
fable to convey truths and precepts from God intending to instruct us
is a wrong approach. It is to be taken “as it is written”. That
is what it says. The book of Revelation puts emphasis on the fact
that it is prophecy and that it should be taken as it is “written”.

Revelation
1:3 - Blessed
is he that readeth, and they that hear the
words of
this prophecy,
and keep those things which
are written
therein: for the time is at hand.

Revelation
22:7 - Behold,
I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth
the sayings
of the prophecy
of this book.

Revelation
22:10 - And
he saith unto me, Seal not the
sayings
of the prophecy
of this book: for the time is at hand.

Revelation
22:18 - For
I testify unto every man that heareth the
words
of the prophecy
of this book, If any man shall add
unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are
written
in this book:

Revelation
22:19 - And
if any man shall take
away from the
words of
the book of this
prophecy, God
shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy
city, and from the things which are written
in this book.

The
end of the book of Revelation puts emphasis on NOT CHANGING the words
of the book. They are not to be twisted/changed, the words in
Revelation are written just as God wanted them to be kept.

The
problem most people have with this method of Bible interpretation is
that they do not understand Revelation. Not that anybody can
understand any book of the Bible completely, but we can at least
understand how it should be taken and what it means in general—though
nobody can understand the vast details in the word of God.

When
there is scripture that contains imagery and figurative words, God
always interprets those things. We are never left to wonder and guess
what was meant. As we saw in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, when God gave
words He also interpreted them. He never leaves us wondering and
guessing. God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33), His
words are reasonable and sure (Acts 17:2, James 4:5). They are not
fables and feigned words.

God
interprets His own words....

Revelation 17: [1] And there came one of
the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me,
saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of
the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:[2] With whom the
kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of
the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.[3]
So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a
woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy,
having seven heads and ten horns.[4] And the woman was arrayed in
purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones
and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and
filthiness of her fornication:
[5] And upon her forehead
was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Ah!
What in the world does this mean? A beast? A lady sitting on the
beast? Head and horns! How can we ever interpret this mess?

We
do not need to interpret the passage, God gave us the
interpretation.....

Revelation 17:[6] And I
saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the
blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with
great admiration.[7] And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst
thou marvel? I
will tell thee the mystery
of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the
seven heads and ten horns.[8] The beast that thou sawest was, and
is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into
perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names
were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the
world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet
is.[9] And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The
seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.[10]
And there are
seven kings:
five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when
he cometh, he must continue a short space.[11] And the
beast that was,
and is not, even he
is the eighth, and is of the seven,
and goeth into perdition.[12] And the
ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings,
which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one
hour with the beast.[13] These have one mind, and shall give
their power and strength unto the beast.[14] These shall make war
with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of
lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and
chosen, and faithful.[15] And he saith unto me, The
waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and
multitudes, and nations, and tongues.[16]
And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate
the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her
flesh, and burn her with fire.[17] For God hath put in their
hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto
the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.[18] And the
woman which thou sawest is that great city,
which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

The
puzzling verses (1-5) are interpreted by the angel in verses 6-18.
God did not leave us wondering and guessing as to what was meant, He
gave us the interpretation. The Bible always says when it is being
figurative and it explains what the figure is.

The
scriptures are not fables nor feigned words. They are sure,
reasonable, of no private interpretation, and they are to be taken as
they are written. “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom
of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:5)

As
a final note, the apostle Paul was inspired of God and the things
that he wrote were the commandments of God (1 Cor. 14:37).....and how
did he speak? How were God's words delivered from him?

“not
with wisdom of words”
(1 Cor. 1:17)

“And
I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech
or of wisdom”
(1 Cor. 2:1)

“And
my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's
wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”
(1 Cor. 2:4)

“I
be rude in speech”
(2 Cor. 11:6)

God
gives us His word plainly and “as it is written”. Our faith
should not stand in the private interpretations of man's wisdom (2
Pet. 1:20). Our faith should stand in the power of God, His word.

“That
your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but
in the power of God.”
(1 Corinthians 2:5)

Hebrews
4:12 For the
word of God is quick, and powerful,
and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing
asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Ephesians 4:1-6[1] I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,[2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;[3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.[4] There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;[5] One Lord, one faith, one baptism,[6] One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

I have heard multiple interpretations of the passage, particularly these two:

1.) The "ones" are which ever ones you want them to be. (obviously wrong)

2.) The "ones" are all spiritual. (but there is more than one spiritual body--1 Cor. 6:15-20, 12:12-18, 15:44)

I
believe that the correct interpretation would be that there is only
"one" of each of those things in the christian walk, calling, and unity.
(which is the context)

There is only one body, the context
referring to one body/church of Christ. This excludes all other "bodies
of Christ" because they do not exist (except for in the minds of Baptist
Briders and Hyper Dispensationalists).

There is only one Spirit, capital S (Holy Spirit). This excludes all others because there are none.

There is only one hope of our calling, the blessed hope (Titus 2:13). This excludes all other hopes from what we were called to.

There is only one Lord Jesus Christ (capital L). This excludes all others because there are none.

There
is one faith that is of Christ in the present dispensation (Eph. 3:12, 2
Tim. 4:7). This faith is the faith that we believe, such as a
"statement of faith". Some call this the "body of truth given to the
church". This excludes all other faiths because they are not after
Christ but rather tradition and religion of men.

There
is one baptism in the present dispensation and it is baptism into
Christ (Rom. 6:3-4, Gal. 3:26-28, Col. 2:10-13, 1 Cor. 6:15-17,
12:12-18). This excludes all others because they were not given to the
Body of Christ (1 Cor. 1:14-17, Acts 26:15-20).

There is only one God and Father. This excludes all other "Gods" because they are not real.

Saturday, March 7, 2015

When did God promise to preserve His word in English?That question is usually asked by those who are members of the Alexandrian Cult, and it is usually asked in a smart alecky manner.God has preserved His word perfectly: Ps. 12:6-7, 100:5, 117:2, 119:89, Isa. 30:8, 40:7-8, 1 Pet. 1:23-25, Matt. 5:17-18, 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33. It "liveth and abideth forever". But where does God say that He would preserve it in an English translation? Well, God never said "I will preserve my word in the 1611 English of the Authorized Version".

God's words of the Old Testament were given in Hebrew because the Jews/Israel were God's chosen people.

Deuteronomy 7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

1 Chronicles 17:22 For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.

Jeremiah 31:1-3 At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest. The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

1 Kings 10:9 Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.

Israel was God's chosen people, even His children and "firstborn": Exod. 4:22, Deut. 4:1-2, 32:18, Isa. 1:2, 66:8, Jer. 31:9. That is why the Holy Scriptures were given to them....

Romans 3:1-2 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

Psalms 147:12-20

[12] Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.[13] For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.[14] He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.[15] He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.[16] He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.[17] He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?[18] He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.[19] He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.[20] He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

However, the word of the Lord is no longer only given in Hebrew. The Jews have been temporarily set aside until the rapture of the Body of Christ.

God offered His Kingdom to Israel through the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 4:23, 9:35, 24:14, Mark 1:14, Matt. 3:2, 4:17, 10:7, Mark 1:15). This gospel had to do with restoring the kingdom to Israel and Christ sitting on a throne in Jerusalem (Acts 1:6-8, Matt. 19:28, 24:1-51). The kingdom was to be offered to Israel first (Luke 24:47, Acts 1:8) and then to all nations (Matt. 28:19-20, Mark 16:15). However, Israel rejected the offer and most of them would not repent of killing their King (Acts 3:19-26), only a few thousand believed when the whole nation needed to accept Christ in order for Him to come back (Acts 3:19-20).

The 'last straw' was when Jerusalem rejected the gospel and blasphemed the Holy Ghost by stoning Him (Acts 6-7, Mark 3:28-29, Luke 12:10--any action against a man filled and baptized with the Holy Ghost was considered to be against the Holy Ghost Himself--Acts 5:1-11).

That is when God sent salvation to the Gentiles and called out the apostle of the Gentiles, Paul. (Acts 8:27, 9:6, 10:1-48, 13:16-49, Rom. 11:13, 15:16, 16:25).

Israel fell and was temporarily cast aside after blaspheming the Holy Ghost:

Romans 9:[30] What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.[31] But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.[32] Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;[33] As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Romans 11:[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.[12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?[13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:[14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.[15] For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? This is true in the present dispensation of grace, the Jews have been set aside by God and His wrath is on them to the uttermost (1 Thes. 2:14-16). They are currently enemies of the gospel (Rom. 11:28). However, this status is only temporary. God will continue His dealings with Israel after the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Romans 11:[25] For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.[26] And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:[27] For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Israel has been castaway and Jew and Gentile are now of the same spiritual unity in Christ--the same Body.

Ephesians 3:[1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,[2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward:[3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,[4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)[5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;[6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:[7] Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.[8] Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;[9] And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Colossians 1:[24] Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:[25] Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;[26] Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:[27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

1 Corinthians 6:[15] Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.[16] What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.[17] But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

In the present dispensation, spiritually speaking, there is no Jew or Greek (Gal. 3:26-28, 1 Cor. 12:13, Col. 3:11). There is no such thing as a Gentile getting saved and becoming a "spiritual Jew", because spiritually there is no Jew. The Jews do not have any advantages over any nation or race currently.

Israel is no longer in the position of having God's blessing on them, that blessing is to ALL GENTILE NATIONS that continue in faith. Nations that serve God by faith are blessed by God and apostate nations will face God's severity.

Romans 11:[13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:[14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.[15] For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?[16] For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.[17] And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;[18] Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.[19] Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.[20] Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:[21] For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.[22] Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.[23] And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.[24] For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

Currently God is dealing with Gentiles, not Jews (Rom. 11:25, Eph. 3:1-9, Col. 1:24-28). God has said that Gentile nations will partake of "the root and fatness of the olive tree" (blessings) as long as they stand by faith and do not go into unbelief. These are not PHYSICAL blessings on Gentile nations, this is a reference to SPIRITUAL blessings.

Romans 15:27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

What was Israel's CHIEF spiritual blessing? Look at Romans 3

Romans 3:1-2 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

Psalms 147:12-20

[12] Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.[13] For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.[14] He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.[15] He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.[16] He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.[17] He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?[18] He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.[19] He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.[20] He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

John 4:22-24

Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall
worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such
to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship
him in spirit and in truth.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

But now the Gentiles are partakers of that spiritual blessing. Now the Gentiles can have the oracles of God given to them. God will now shew His word to the Gentiles and not just "Jacob" (Ps. 147:19-20).

In other words, "the word of God is not bound"....

2 Timothy 2:8-9 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.Under the New Testament God was going to establish a new covenant with Israel in the Kingdom on the earth (Acts 3:19-26, Jer. 31:31-34, 32:37-42, Ezek. 11:17-20, 36:24-35, 37:1-14, 37:21-28). However, they rejected the gospel of the kingdom and so that has been postponed (Rom 11:25-27).

One of the blessings of the New Testament for Israel was that the word of God would not depart from their mouth.

Isaiah 59:

[20] And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.[21] As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

In the dispensation of grace, Gentiles are partakers of the New Testament, partakers of Israel's spiritual blessings, and so this promise goes to Gentile nations that stand by faith as we saw in Romans 11.

2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Romans 15:27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

There is no basis for saying that the word of God is bound to the Hebrew language.God is now dealing with the Gentiles and will give His blessing to Gentiles that stand by faith. The "chief" of those blessings was the word of God (Rom. 3:1-2, Ps. 147:19-20).

God did promise to give Gentiles His word, it is "not bound". There is no scripture that indicates that God has only preserved His word through one language. The Jews have the wrath of God on them to the uttermost and are enemies of the gospel (Rom. 11:28, 1 Thes. 2:14-16). They have been cast away and have fallen (temporarily), therefore I would be cautious to rely on their manuscripts. The KJB translators did not believe that Hebrew and Greek were the only reliable sources for producing the KJB. The KJB came out of "the original tongues and with former translations diligently compared and revised". The KJB is largely based on the former English, German, French, and Spanish Bibles. These Bibles were produced in a time in which Gentile nations were breaking from the false religion of Roman Catholicism andstanding by faith. That is when God said that they would continue in His goodness and partake of Israel's blessing.